Whether you’re a professional landscaper or have never gardened in your life, gardens bring beauty to the eye and are always bringing warmth to your home. Everybody loves gardens, or at least they should! In fact, there are many more perks to gardening than one would think. If you’re growing a vegetable garden, you can easily save money on grocery shopping! According to statistics, houses with well groomed plants and/or gardens have increased their real estate’s appraised value by 8-15%, which can make your home up to 20% more sellable. What else? Well ladies, you will love this one. Gardening is a great way to burn some extra calories! Health statistics have shown that 45 minutes of planting burns 177 calories, weeding 157 calories, and digging 199 calories. You grow girl!
All perks aside, let’s talk a little bit about how to garden. Gardening is not as far fetched as it sounds, or looks, for that matter. First, you must know what type of garden you want to grow? Do you have a particular space in mind for your garden? What will you plant? Here are a few tools on how to get your garden started!
1. First, as for most challenges, educate yourself a little bit about gardening. There are numerous gardening books that truly tell you everything you must know about gardens, different types of plants, landscapes, etc.
2. Assess your garden conditions. Do you have fertile soil? Will your garden drain well? Will it receive a sufficient amount of sunlight?
3. Prepare the garden soil. Gardens grow best when your soil is healthy. Healthy soil consists of a balanced mix of clay, sand, and silt. Fertilizer will help assure your pants are receiving the necessary nutrients.
4. After fertilizing your soil, try to get rid of any large stones or obstructive rocks that could inflict on the growth of your garden!
5. Buy the plants! Strong plants are a smart buy, for they will provide your garden with a firm and hearty start!
6. Most importantly, avoid planting your plants near plants that appear discolored or diseased. This could severely harm, if not ruin your garden.
One last tip, design your garden for maximum beauty! After all, “A beautiful garden is a work of heart.” ~anonymous
When life gives you crumbs…feed the birds!
Happy Gardening!